The shift to index funds was triggered not by a belief in market efficiency, but by the surprising discovery that alternative investments are highly tax-inefficient for individuals due to non-deductible fees and ordinary income, creating a tax drag of up to 20%.

A key part of New Zealand's appeal to high-net-worth individuals is the absence of taxes common elsewhere. The country does not have a general wealth tax, inheritance tax, payroll tax, or social security tax, simplifying the financial landscape for residents and reducing overall tax burdens significantly.

After an initial four-year tax holiday, New Zealand's Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) regime taxes foreign stock investments based on 5% of the portfolio's opening value, not actual gains. This means any returns exceeding 5% in a given year are effectively tax-free, a significant advantage for successful global investors.

Despite a lower-risk option to invest NZ$10M in government bonds, four out of five applicants for New Zealand's 'Active Investor Plus' visa choose the 'growth' category. This requires a smaller investment in higher-risk assets like venture capital or private equity, signaling a clear preference for active participation in the economy.

New Zealand offers new "transitional residents" a four-year exemption on taxes for all foreign-sourced income. This significant benefit is largely unknown to applicants of the Active Investor Plus visa, who are typically motivated by lifestyle and diversification rather than this powerful, under-marketed tax incentive.

High-net-worth individuals are pursuing New Zealand residency primarily to diversify assets outside a single jurisdiction and to secure a permanent "visa option" for their families. This strategic move is driven by advice from family offices, not by conspiracy theories about surviving a global catastrophe.

Congressman Ro Khanna proposes a tax on the total net worth of individuals with over $100 million. Unlike an income or capital gains tax, this targets unrealized wealth, forcing the liquidation of assets like stocks to generate the cash needed to pay the tax.

Investors with highly appreciated, concentrated stock can use financial products similar to real estate's 1031 exchange. They can pool their stock into a newly created, diversified ETF, deferring the capital gains tax event. This solves the immediate diversification risk, though the original low cost basis carries over.

Unlike a capital gains tax which is paid upon sale, Switzerland's wealth tax is levied annually regardless of performance. This prevents timing tax payments and its compounding effect can become more costly for long-term investors than a one-time capital gains tax.